Head-to-head · 🇺🇸 United States

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Amex Hilton Honors Aspire

Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card
Wins 3 of 10
Amex Hilton Honors Aspire card
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict

It's a true tie, neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.

Side-by-side

CriterionMarriott Bonvoy BrilliantAmex Hilton Honors Aspire
Annual fee
·
$650
$550
Joining fee
=
None
=
None
Top reward rate
·
6x (travel)
14x (travel)
Base reward rate
·
2x
3x
Forex markup
=
No FX fee
=
No FX fee
Welcome bonus
95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months
·
N/A
Fee waiver threshold
=
No waiver
=
No waiver
Min income
=
None stated
=
Not verified
Min credit score
720
·
N/A
Editorial rating
4.5/5
·
4.4/5

Benefits compared

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant

  • 6x Marriott Bonvoy points at Marriott properties
  • 3x at restaurants + flights direct
  • 2x on everything else
  • Marriott Bonvoy Platinum Elite status (with $25K spend)
  • 85K-point Free Night Award annually
  • $300 dining credit + $25 monthly Marriott credit

Amex Hilton Honors Aspire

  • 14x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels and resorts
  • 7x at US restaurants, on flights booked directly with airlines or AmexTravel.com, and on car rentals booked directly
  • 3x on everything else
  • Hilton Honors Diamond status
  • No foreign transaction fees

FAQ

›Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant vs Amex Hilton Honors Aspire: which is better?

It's a true tie, pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant wins on 3 criteria, Amex Hilton Honors Aspire on 3.

›Can I get both?

Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant for its best categories, Amex Hilton Honors Aspire for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.

›Which one has the better welcome bonus?

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant: 95,000 Bonvoy points after $6,000 spend in 6 months. Amex Hilton Honors Aspire doesn't list a welcome bonus.